IGI Airport: The Delhi Excise Department has taken a significant decision by allowing the liquor store at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to operate 24 hours a day. This marks a deviation from the standard operating hours observed by retail liquor shops in Delhi, which are generally open from 10 am to 10 pm. The newly licensed store, under the management of Delhi Consumers Cooperative Wholesale Store Ltd, will be located at Terminal 3 of the IGI airport. It will offer a wide selection of domestic and international liquor brands approved by the excise department. The move is notable as this is the first instance under current excise policies wherein an L-10 category liquor store will operate within the airport premises. The 750 sq ft store in the Terminal 3 arrival area will feature a self-service format for customers. Its 24-hour availability aims to serve not just international travellers, who traditionally use duty-free options, but also domestic travellers and airport staff. The Delhi government’s excise department considers the decision significant as it aims to expand access to quality liquor options for airport visitors and nearby residents who previously had limited options. It is also expected to discourage liquor smuggling in the Haryana-Delhi border area. The initiative comes after the closure of six premium liquor shops at IGI airport’s domestic terminals in September 2022 amid controversies over the then existing excise policy, which has since been repealed. The case is currently being investigated by the CBI and the ED.
